Hair curling apparatus



July 3, 1934. e. w. PETERSON HAIR CURLING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 30, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 t INVENTOR- Gusr M PETERSON- BY 1 ma mmrfid ZZFTORNEYS.

July 3, 1934. e. w. PETERSON HAIR 'CURLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 50, 1953 INVENTOR. 6057 W. PETERSON M1 %Z%@% July 3, 1934. G. w. PETERSON HAIR CURLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 30, 1953 //v VEN r02 6057' W. PETERSON BY )J A TTORN E Y5 Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE Application January 30,

11 Claims.

My invention relates generally to hair curling apparatus, and is more particularly directed tothe type of apparatus for giving a more or less permanent wave to the hair by means of a process which includes the step of spirall3 winding or twisting a strand of hair around a bobbin; then subjecting the hair to the effect of hot chemical vapors and gases, while contained within a steam chamber.

It is an object of my invention to greatly simplify the work of the operator when applying the curling devices to the head of a person whose hair is to be treated and to shorten the time required for a correct application thereof to the head.

It is a further object of the invention to provide positively acting means for preventing entanglement with each other of the flexible connections which carry the curling devices and to mount the devices in a new and novel manner so that any one thereof can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally, whereby to more correctly position the devices on the head.

In the description to follow, it will be noted that the apparatus in its preferred embodiment includes curling devices having electrically controlled steam chambers in which steam, when generated therein, will be distributed to the strands of hair, whereby to set the curl. How- 36 ever, it is to be clearly understood that certain features of my invention are such that the invention can be used in connection with various well known forms of steam applicators, and I therefore do not propose to confine myself to the form of applicatorherein shown and described.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of hair curling device which employs a steam chamber and an electrical resistance device, wherein the latter is operatively correlated with the former to render more effective a proper generation of hot vapors within the said chamber.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of portable stand in which means are employed to enable same to be readily transported over a floor in a manner to prevent loose or previously cut particles of hair from becoming entangled with parts of the supporting castors at the base of the stand.

Having described generally the important features of the invention, reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings for a more detailed understanding of the various functional and structural features thereof; and in which said drawings Figure 1 is a view in top plan of the apparatus;

1933, Serial No. 654,322

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view in front elevation of the chamber structure;

Figure 6 is an end view thereof;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 7---'? of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the sections of the chamber structure;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 of the other section of said chamber structure.

In carrying the invention into practice, I employ a stand S whose lower end is connected with a portable base B having castors C. The said stand includes .a vertical tubular standard S, the upper end of which is provided with a fixed horizontal head H adapted to overlie the head of a person whose hair is to be treated. A coupling member M is embodied in the construction of the standard S, and same is provided with a switch piece P and a conductor inlet I, the latter having threaded therethrough the feed wires which go to make an electrical conductor of the well known flexible variety. This conductor is then threaded through the standard and extended to the upper end thereof, where it is provided with conductor units U. This conductor is adapted to be connected in any suitable source of supply for the passage of the desired current therethrough. The structural elements above referred to are only essential in so far as concerns their broad combination with other and more important features of my invention. I have briefly described same in order that one may gather from this description a full and complete understanding of the main characterizing features of the invention and the various novel functional accomplishments of the parts employed. I, therefore, Wish it to be understood that I do not intend to be limited to the use of the above named structural elements, and that I propose to substitute therefor the obvious functional equivalents thereof without departing from the broad spirit of the more essential features of the invention as set forth in the hereto appended claims. I shall now proceed to correlate the above elements with the more essential elements which characterize my invention so that one skilled in the art can satisfactorily practice the invention.

The aforementioned head H is elongated and preferably tapered in plan so that same is of a gradually reduced width in the direction of its free end. At each side of the head is a series of horizontal supports 15 which are in the nature of hollow arms. These arms may be constructed of any suitable material such as metal, hard rubber or the like, and same are of light weight but rigid enough to sustain the loads that are intended to be placed thereupon. Each of said arms is rectangular in cross section as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, and same includes spaced apart side walls l616 which terminate at their lower edges in flanges l7l7, the latter serving to slidably support a hanger 18. The purpose of this hanger will be fully explained hereinafter, but it should be noted that because of the construction of the arm 15 with which it coacts, same is adapted to be moved in a longitudinal direction from one end of said arm to the other end thereof. It is further stated at this time that said hanger supports a revoluble pulley l9, and that the base wall 20 of the hanger is formed with spaced apart apertures 22 which coincide with the space between said flanges 171'7.

The respective arms 15 of each of the series employed are provided at their inner ends with ears 2323 which are operatively connected by vertical hinge pins with ears or lugs 2% which latter extend from an adjacent side of the aforestated head H. The arms of each series are horizontally alined with each other and they are preferably spaced apart from one another as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Each of the arms 15 is provided at its outer end with an electrical connector 25 in which is included a hand switch 26, said connector being fixedly secured to the arm by a pin or other suitable form of fastening 27 whose ends are attached to the respective walls 15-16. To this point, it will be understood that each arm 15 is thus mounted for horizontal swinging movement on the head H, and that the hanger 18 which coacts therewith is adapted to move along a straight line in the length of said arm. fhe respective terminal connections of each conductor unit U are laid in the head H, and on reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings it will be observed that coincident with the inner extremity of each arm and formed in an adjacent side wall of said head is an aperture 28 through which one of said units U passes, the same then passing through an aperture 29 in the inner end of the arm; thence extended in a longitudinal direction in the arm, where it finds operative association with the connector 25 of the said arm. A continuation 30 of the conductor unit U is then led away from the connector so as to constitute a flexible means or carrier for supporting and conveying current to an electrical resistance device 31 of a combined hair clamp and chamber member 36. Attention is now directed to Figure 2 of the drawings, wherein it will be seen that the continuation 30 of the electrical conductor unit U is freely led over the pulley 19 in a manner to provide a take-up loop 33, and to also provide a depending free end or lead 34 of said unit, whereby the continuation can be paid out or taken up to permit the member 35 of said unit to be conveniently raised and lowered as desired. Because of the provision thus made for the vertical adjustment of said member, it follows that same can be manually placed at the height that it should correctly occupy when the member is applied to a particular part of the head of the person whose hair is being treated. By virtue of the longitudinal adjustment which is aflorded each hanger 18, the finest positioning in a longitudinal direction of each member 36 can be effected. It is appropriate to mention at this point that the arms 15 of each of the aforementioned series employed may be manually grasped and manipulated so that one thereof may be swung to any desired position relative to another thereof. It is in this manner that I provide for a quick application of the respective members 36 to any selected positions upon the head of a person. These arms may be grasped one at a, time and same may be swung to the desired position horizontally without the slightest interference by an adjacent arm. The conductor units U are thus held separate and entirely apart relatively so that one thereof cannot possibly become entangeld with another, a feature which heretofore has been impossible with known forms of hair waving apparatus. I have herein illustrated and described a combination of instrumentalities which includes two companion series of arms 15, but this should be considered merely as an example of one mode of use within the broad spirit of the hereto appended claims. The dominant feature of novcity which distinguishes the invention from the devices of the prior art lies in the provision of flexibly mounted arms, each carrying its own member 36, or more specifically a combined steam chamber and clamp. Therefore, it is manifest that the herein order of arrangement of the arms is but illustrative, and that same may be associated with each other in any approved manner, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is well known that proper steam temperature applied to natural hair is not injurious. It is equally well known that where ones hair has been dyed by use of the various bleaching chemicals, great care must be employed that excessive temperatures are not applied thereto. It is the custom among hair specialists and operators to determine the degree of temperature required for the most expert curling or waving of hair, at a time in advance of treating an entire head of hair. To satisfy ordinary requirements, I provide each conductor unit U with a separate electric switch 26, the latter coacting with the main switch P to supply current to a test strand of hair. With the use of my invention, it is not necessary that current be taken into all of the units U which make up my complete assembly of members 36. One or more thereof can be used according to the best judgment of the operator. When it has been sufficiently determined that the hair will withstand a certain steam temperature, the process of curling may go forward and the individual units U supplied with current. One or more of the members 36 may be cut out at any time without aifecting those Whose operation it is intended shall continue.

The steam chamber 36 which I employ in connection with each of said conductor units U consists of mating sections 31 and 36', the former having a hollow cylindrical portion 3'7 which contains the aforestated electrical resistance device 31. This device 31 is in the nature of a suitably coiled or otherwise appropriately arranged length of resistance wire whose respective ends are connected at 38 with the respective positive and negative terminals of its connecting conductor unit U, as clearly shown in Figure '7 of the. drawings. The lower portion of the section 35 is provided with a semi-cylindrical chamber section 39, partly closed at its ends by arcuate flanges 40, and faced along one edge with a strip of felt or other suitable well known material 41. The section 36 is somewhat like the mating section 35. It is complementary and same is formed with an arcuate or semi-cylindrical upper portion 42 which partly embraces the cylindrical portion 37 so as to ccact therewith in the fashion of a hinge. The lower portion of the section 36' is formed with a chamber section 43, which, for all intents and purposes, is the same as the chamber section 39, whereby one coacts with the other to complete the formation of a chamber into which a coiled strand of hair may be placed when wound upon a bobbin 40a. The chamber thus formed may be supplied with a moisture pack in the form of a strip of absorbent material, so that when the device is in operation vapor will be formed in the chamber and the effect thereof spent against the hair. The lower edge of the section 36' is provided with a felt strip which is adapted to tightly contact with the strip 41. Leaf springs 37a of stiif steel are placed over the clamp as shown in Figures 5 and 6, and the free ends thereof are sunk into the shallow recesses 46 in the respective strengthening strips 47 and 48 carried by the two clamp sections. The normal tendency of the said springs is spent against the said sections 35 and 36 so as to bring the felt strips 41 and 45 to engage tightly against each other, whereby to effectively seal the joint between said sections to prevent an escape of hot vapors against the head.

The wire of the resistance device 31 is preferably encased in asbestos 49, and the ends of the portion 37 of the section 35 are closed by caps 50. Each section of said chamber 36 is provided with a hand piece 35a by means of which pressure of the fingers can be applied thereto to effect an opening of the clamp as desired.

The form of castor C which I preferably employ in connection with the stand S consists of a wheel 51, preferably of rubber, the same having a sleeve passing through the central portion thereof as shown at 52. A U-shaped frame 53 accommodates the wheel 51 and the side wings 5454 of said frame have tapered extremities 55 which extend through circumferential slots 56 in the annular walls or flanges 57 of deflector caps or guards 58.

I claim:

1. Mechanism of the class described comprising a heater having a chamber adapted to enclose a wound strand of hair; a swinging support; a flexible electrical conductor having a portion fixed to the support and a portion freely hanging therefrom; the last said portion having connection with the heater to supply current thereto; and means on the support over which the conductor is adapted to travel and by means of which the heater may be adjusted vertically.

2. Mechanism of the class described comprising a support; means for mounting the sup port for horizontal swinging movement; an electric heater; a hanger mounted for rectilinear motion on said support; and an electrical conductor carried by the support and co-operable with the hanger and said heater to mount the heater for vertical adjustment.

3. A support for the electrical conductor of a hair waving apparatus including a horizontally swinging arm; an electrical connector at one end of the arm; a traveling member carried by the arm; an electric heater; and a flexible electrical conductor extending between the connector and the heater and freely passing over the traveling member so as to form a take-up loop in the conductor, whereby the heater may be raised and lowered relative to the member.

4. Supporting means for a hair steaming chamber comprising an arm having a longitudinal rail; a steaming chamber; and slidable means on the rail having flexible connection with the chamber so that the chamber may be adjusted longitudinally on the rail and vertically thereof.

5. Supporting means for a hair steaming chamber, comprising a horizontal arm mounted to turn about a vertical axis; a longitudinally movable hanger on the arm and provided with a vertical pulley; a flexible member trained over the pulley and having one end attached to the arm and its other end depending from the arm at' the pulley; and a hair steaming chamber carried by the last said end of the member.

6. In hair curling apparatus; a steaming chamber consisting of complementary sections; one of said sections having a hollow cylindrical portion and a portion adapted to constitute one part of a hair steaming chamber; the other section having a semi-cylindrical portion partly embracing the cylindrical portion of the first said section and coacting therewith to provide a hinge; whereby one of said complementary sections can be opened and closed; the second said section having a semi-cylindrical portion co-operable with said chamber part of the first said section to complete the formation of said hair steaming chamber; an electrical resistance device contained in the cylindrical portion of said flrst section; and spring means co-operable with both sections to normally hold same closed against each other.

'7. In hair curling apparatus; a steaming chamber consisting of complementary sections; one of said sections having a hollow cylindrical portion and a portion adapted to constitute one part of a hair steaming chamber; the other section having a semi-cylindrical portion partly embracing the cylindrical portion of the first said section and co -acting therewith to provide a hinge, whereby one of said complementary sections can be opened and closed relatively to each other thereof; the second said section having a semicylindrical portion co-operable with said chamber part of the first section to complete the formation of said hair steaming chamber; an electrical resistance device contained in the cylindrical portion of said first section; means for sealing the chamber at one side thereof; and spring means co-operable with both sections to normally hold same closed against each other.

8. Hair curling apparatus comprising a head; a longitudinal series of horizontally swinging supports at either side of the head, and a vertically adjustable heater carried by each of said supports.

9. Hair curling apparatus comprising a fixed head, a longitudinal series of supports at either side of the head, the said supports being mounted on the head so that they may be manually adjusted angularly of each other in a horizontal plane, an electrically controlled heater for each of said supports, and mounting means for connecting the heaters for vertical and longitudinal adjustment on said supports.

er of each support, and means on each support over which the wired connection is trained so as to enable the heater to be raised and lowered.

11. In hair waving apparatus, a plurality of electrical conductors mounted to swing relative to each other; lead wires for supplying current to said conductors; an electrical connector for each conductor; an electrical heater for each conductor at one end thereof; and switch means for arranging one or all of said conductors in closed circuit with said lead wires.

GUST WILLIAM PETERSON. 

